Miscellaneous Loroi question-and-answer thread

[Demarquis]

Pilot works, as does anything whose primary function is ship to ship communication.

[Keklas Rekobah]

@ARIOCH: (1) Other than both being born into the Mizol caste, are Greywind and Tempo related; and if so, how are they related?  (2) Is Stillstorm's hostility toward Tempo due to this relationship, the general Loroi distrust of all Mizol, her disfavor in the eyes of the Loroi Axis (and the fact that she has not been promoted off the front lines), Tempo's acceptance and declaration of Alex as "Plenipotentiary Ambassador" or some combination?

[Arioch]

@ARIOCH: (1) Other than both being born into the Mizol caste, are Greywind and Tempo related; and if so, how are they related?  (2) Is Stillstorm's hostility toward Tempo due to this relationship, the general Loroi distrust of all Mizol, her disfavor in the eyes of the Loroi Axis (and the fact that she has not been promoted off the front lines), Tempo's acceptance and declaration of Alex as "Plenipotentiary Ambassador" or some combination?

Greywind and Tempo are not related by blood. Tempo is not personally connected to Greywind, but she is part of the group that supported Greywind during the Bluecrest revolt, and through the Mizol community has political ties to Greywind. All Mizol are the eyes and ears of the emperor.

Stillstorm, on the other hand, is affiliated with the "Loroi Axis," which is a republican (small R) movement which generally opposes the centralized control of the imperial system, and some members of which were involved in the Bluecrest coup attempt. Stillstorm survived the purge following the revolt because of her ties to Admiral Sunfall, but she is definitely not in the good graces of Greywind's administration. I'd rather not get into characters' motivations, except to say that:

SpoilerShow

There was a reason why Tempo was not present at Alex's initial interrogation, and why he was brought all the way to the bridge to speak with her, and hopefully it was plain from Stillstorm's expressions how she felt about what was going on when she arrived on the bridge.

[Bamax]

@ARIOCH: (1) Other than both being born into the Mizol caste, are Greywind and Tempo related; and if so, how are they related?  (2) Is Stillstorm's hostility toward Tempo due to this relationship, the general Loroi distrust of all Mizol, her disfavor in the eyes of the Loroi Axis (and the fact that she has not been promoted off the front lines), Tempo's acceptance and declaration of Alex as "Plenipotentiary Ambassador" or some combination?

Greywind and Tempo are not related by blood. Tempo is not personally connected to Greywind, but she is part of the group that supported Greywind during the Bluecrest revolt, and through the Mizol community has political ties to Greywind. All Mizol are the eyes and ears of the emperor.

Stillstorm, on the other hand, is affiliated with the "Loroi Axis," which is a republican (small R) movement which generally opposes the centralized control of the imperial system, and some members of which were involved in the Bluecrest coup attempt. Stillstorm survived the purge following the revolt because of her ties to Admiral Sunfall, but she is definitely not in the good graces of Greywind's administration. I'd rather not get into characters' motivations, except to say that:

SpoilerShow

There was a reason why Tempo was not present at Alex's initial interrogation, and why he was brought all the way to the bridge to speak with her, and hopefully it was plain from Stillstorm's expressions how she felt about what was going on when she arrived on the bridge.

Hahaha!

Sneaky Stillstorm. She does not like being told what to do by the emperor, so she likely had Tempo occupied elsewhere and perhaps did not even mention they were going to interrogate Alex. They just woke him up and went at it.

Neither Greywind nor Tempo would have approved of how Stillstorm treated Alex... but I can understand why Stillstorm would not want the Emperor's spy to order her around when she probably views the Emperor as a threat to the Loroi status quo.

No wonder Stillstorm looks annoyed... it's not just Alex... Tempo likely is an annoyance to her too.

[gaerzi]

No wonder Stillstorm looks annoyed... it's not just Alex... Tempo likely is an annoyance to her too.

That much was known since the "hey guys, Stillstorm asked me to fuck off too, got room for one more?" episode. We can presume everyone onboard was on the captain's shitlist. Yes, even shoegirl.

[Bamax]

Oh come on! Spiral is cute. What's not to like about her... besides the fact that her foreign language skills could use a refresher course?

I guess wherever Talon goes.... Spiral goes... they are diral BFF's after all.

Could be too that Stillstorm is like... "Oh you like the alien male clone so much? You can go with him then! I don't need him... let the Emperor have him if she cares so much."

[Keklas Rekobah]

@ARIOCH: (1) Other than both being born into the Mizol caste, are Greywind and Tempo related; and if so, how are they related?  (2) Is Stillstorm's hostility toward Tempo due to this relationship, the general Loroi distrust of all Mizol, her disfavor in the eyes of the Loroi Axis (and the fact that she has not been promoted off the front lines), Tempo's acceptance and declaration of Alex as "Plenipotentiary Ambassador" or some combination?

Greywind and Tempo are not related by blood. Tempo is not personally connected to Greywind, but she is part of the group that supported Greywind during the Bluecrest revolt, and through the Mizol community has political ties to Greywind. All Mizol are the eyes and ears of the emperor.

Stillstorm, on the other hand, is affiliated with the "Loroi Axis," which is a republican (small R) movement which generally opposes the centralized control of the imperial system, and some members of which were involved in the Bluecrest coup attempt. Stillstorm survived the purge following the revolt because of her ties to Admiral Sunfall, but she is definitely not in the good graces of Greywind's administration. I'd rather not get into characters' motivations, except to say that:

SpoilerShow

There was a reason why Tempo was not present at Alex's initial interrogation, and why he was brought all the way to the bridge to speak with her, and hopefully it was plain from Stillstorm's expressions how she felt about what was going on when she arrived on the bridge.

Ahh ... thanks for clearing up Stillstorm's affiliation.  It makes much more sense now.

Now I also have a good Idea of one of the hidden disadvantages on Tempo's GURPS sheet.

[Keklas Rekobah]

. . . Sneaky Stillstorm. She does not like being told what to do by the emperor, so she likely had Tempo occupied elsewhere and perhaps did not even mention they were going to interrogate Alex. They just woke him up and went at it.

Neither Greywind nor Tempo would have approved of how Stillstorm treated Alex... but I can understand why Stillstorm would not want the Emperor's spy to order her around when she probably views the Emperor as a threat to the Loroi status quo.

No wonder Stillstorm looks annoyed... it's not just Alex... Tempo likely is an annoyance to her too.

These are my impressions, too.

But now I wonder about Ashrain.  Did she ask for a fleet assignment because she wanted to "prove herself", or does she harbor ill feelings toward her great aunt, on which the Storm Witch has picked up? Or is that just what "they" want Stillstorm to think? Curiouser and curiouser . . .

(In my own experience, as I increased in rank, my own distaste for U.S. Navy politics grew more and more intense.)

[Keklas Rekobah]

Oh come on! Spiral is cute. What's not to like about her... besides the fact that her foreign language skills could use a refresher course?

I guess wherever Talon goes.... Spiral goes... they are diral BFF's after all.

Could be too that Stillstorm is like... "Oh you like the alien male clone so much? You can go with him then! I don't need him... let the Emperor have him if she cares so much."

In space, no one can hear you compliment the physical attributes of comatose alien males . . . unless you leave the mike open.

[Bamax]

Oh come on! Spiral is cute. What's not to like about her... besides the fact that her foreign language skills could use a refresher course?

I guess wherever Talon goes.... Spiral goes... they are diral BFF's after all.

Could be too that Stillstorm is like... "Oh you like the alien male clone so much? You can go with him then! I don't need him... let the Emperor have him if she cares so much."

In space, no one can hear you compliment the physical attributes of comatose alien males . . . unless you leave the mike open.

Spiral said the alien was gurgling a bunch of red stuff so she was likely grossed out.

Talon on the other hand.... said as much that she had not seen Alex naked after she rescued him unlike Beryl.

[avatar576]

Hahaha!

Sneaky Stillstorm. She does not like being told what to do by the emperor, so she likely had Tempo occupied elsewhere and perhaps did not even mention they were going to interrogate Alex. They just woke him up and went at it.

Neither Greywind nor Tempo would have approved of how Stillstorm treated Alex... but I can understand why Stillstorm would not want the Emperor's spy to order her around when she probably views the Emperor as a threat to the Loroi status quo.

No wonder Stillstorm looks annoyed... it's not just Alex... Tempo likely is an annoyance to her too.

My impression is this:
Maritime tradition on Earth dictates that if a sailor or vessel is in distress, you render aid, regardless of who they are or where they come from. I think Stillstorm would have been quite content to leave Alex floating in space, but if the Loroi adhere to a similar code, then the optics of leaving him out there would not have been good at all. It wouldn't have sat well with Tempo nor many of the Tempest crew. To say nothing of the rest of the fleet, who had probably also picked up Alex's transmissions. Doubtless they'd have thought Stillstorm was losing it if she had ordered them to ignore Alex.
The other thing I noticed was that Tempo waited until Stillstorm was present on the bridge to establish his diplomatic status (p. 61). And she does so just as Alex was about to reveal how to contact Earth (kind of important information). But establishing him as an ambassador in Stillstorm's presence and before she could make a move took immediate priority. That the Barsam and Historian witnessed it as well was not incidental, either. This was all done to tie Stillstorm's hands and keep her from making Alex disappear. "He's an official ambassador now. If anything happens to him, it be on your head."

This brings up a question I've been pondering for some time now: I've noticed older Loroi among the Tempest crew seem to regard Alex with at least some degree of contempt. Tempo aside (she's a diplomat, and can't let personal prejudice interfere), Stillstorm is openly hostile, Fireblade regards Alex with annoyance and irritation, and other senior officers such as Rune Laurel don't exactly project an aura of friendliness, either. On the other hand, it's the younger ones (particularly Beryl, Talon, Spiral, and perhaps to a lesser extent, Reed, Flint and Cloud) who are rather quick to befriend him, and don't seem to harbor much prejudice at all. So I guess I have two questions:
1.) Is this apparent dichotomy representative of wider Loroi society, and if so,
2.) Is it also representative of their attitudes towards other races as well?

[Bamax]

Hahaha!

Sneaky Stillstorm. She does not like being told what to do by the emperor, so she likely had Tempo occupied elsewhere and perhaps did not even mention they were going to interrogate Alex. They just woke him up and went at it.

Neither Greywind nor Tempo would have approved of how Stillstorm treated Alex... but I can understand why Stillstorm would not want the Emperor's spy to order her around when she probably views the Emperor as a threat to the Loroi status quo.

No wonder Stillstorm looks annoyed... it's not just Alex... Tempo likely is an annoyance to her too.

My impression is this:
Maritime tradition on Earth dictates that if a sailor or vessel is in distress, you render aid, regardless of who they are or where they come from. I think Stillstorm would have been quite content to leave Alex floating in space, but if the Loroi adhere to a similar code, then the optics of leaving him out there would not have been good at all. It wouldn't have sat well with Tempo nor many of the Tempest crew. To say nothing of the rest of the fleet, who had probably also picked up Alex's transmissions. Doubtless they'd have thought Stillstorm was losing it if she had ordered them to ignore Alex.
The other thing I noticed was that Tempo waited until Stillstorm was present on the bridge to establish his diplomatic status (p. 61). And she does so just as Alex was about to reveal how to contact Earth (kind of important information). But establishing him as an ambassador in Stillstorm's presence and before she could make a move took immediate priority. That the Barsam and Historian witnessed it as well was not incidental, either. This was all done to tie Stillstorm's hands and keep her from making Alex disappear. "He's an official ambassador now. If anything happens to him, it be on your head."

This brings up a question I've been pondering for some time now: I've noticed older Loroi among the Tempest crew seem to regard Alex with at least some degree of contempt. Tempo aside (she's a diplomat, and can't let personal prejudice interfere), Stillstorm is openly hostile, Fireblade regards Alex with annoyance and irritation, and other senior officers such as Rune Laurel don't exactly project an aura of friendliness, either. On the other hand, it's the younger ones (particularly Beryl, Talon, Spiral, and perhaps to a lesser extent, Reed, Flint and Cloud) who are rather quick to befriend him, and don't seem to harbor much prejudice at all. So I guess I have two questions:
1.) Is this apparent dichotomy representative of wider Loroi society, and if so,
2.) Is it also representative of their attitudes towards other races as well?

I am not arioch but I have seen enough on the forums to attempt a correct answer.

1. Not necessarily. Alex is highly suspicious because he looks almost Loroi... and a male at that!

Arioch said on Seren during the occupation the Umiak managed to actually make Loroi lookalikes that were actually Umiak. As well as booby trap actual Loroi.

They left a bunch of unwelcome 'gifts' when the Loroi retook Seren.

In light of all that, it almost comes as no surprise when the elder Loroi view Alex with high suspicion.

Above all.. the worst thing about Alex is that he is more or less immune to Loroi telepathy.... which they rarely if ever encounter (skilled Loroi can do it).

[Arioch]

I think any sensible security officer would have to wary of any alien ambassador, especially one that looks suspiciously similar to Loroi. But Alex's Loroi-like appearance has much more serious consequences to Loroi culture than just as a security risk.

In addition to the difference in subcultures (in general, the Sister Worlds tend to be more conservative than the newer colonies), age is often a factor in outlook. As the saying goes: if when you're young, you're not at least a little bit liberal, then there's something wrong with your heart; if when you're older, you don't become at least a little bit conservative, then there's something wrong with your head. Because of the catastrophic losses early in the war, there are a small number of very senior officers over age 100 (Tempest has two), and a very large number of young warriors under the age of 25, and very little in between.

[Keklas Rekobah]

@ARIOCH: Is it safe to assume that there is more than a little open competition and covert intrigue between the castes?

[Arioch]

@ARIOCH: Is it safe to assume that there is more than a little open competition and covert intrigue between the castes?

I think that inter-service rivalries are inevitable, but in deployed units the different castes constantly interact with each other, and so I think unit identity will be felt more strongly than caste identity, in many cases, especially for younger warriors.

[Keklas Rekobah]

@ARIOCH: Is it safe to assume that there is more than a little open competition and covert intrigue between the castes?

I think that inter-service rivalries are inevitable, but in deployed units the different castes constantly interact with each other, and so I think unit identity will be felt more strongly than caste identity, in many cases, especially for younger warriors.

Makes sense.  While there were rivalries between the rates, my shipmates and I considered ourselves a team.  Even the "attached" Marine cadre was considered part of the regular ship's crew.

[Keklas Rekobah]

@ARIOCH: Does misesa contain either gluten or a gluten-like protein?

(I know it is a silly question -- not on par with "how much kinetic energy was imparted by the zerg rush of missiles upon impact with the space station" -- but I am curious if Alex will ever again enjoy a decent meal.)

[Arioch]

@ARIOCH: Does misesa contain either gluten or a gluten-like protein?

I think the best answer I can give is "not necessarily." I don't think the human body directly metabolizes gluten; I think the main value of gluten is that it provides the "stretchyness" necessary for leavened bread; secondarily I think it may be valuable to feed probiotics in the gut. Traditional misesa bread is unleavened like matzah or hardtack -- our leavening process is linked to Earth-specific microorganisms which wouldn't exist on many alien colony worlds. (The Dreiman terraforming yeast feeds on minerals rather than carbohydrates.)

[Keklas Rekobah]

So, no chance of Alex enjoying Momma Mizolli's Perrien Pan Pizza?

Bummer.

[Bamax]

@ARIOCH: Does misesa contain either gluten or a gluten-like protein?

I think the best answer I can give is "not necessarily." I don't think the human body directly metabolizes gluten; I think the main value of gluten is that it provides the "stretchyness" necessary for leavened bread; secondarily I think it may be valuable to feed probiotics in the gut. Traditional misesa bread is unleavened like matzah or hardtack -- our leavening process is linked to Earth-specific microorganisms which wouldn't exist on many alien colony worlds. (The Dreiman terraforming yeast feeds on minerals rather than carbohydrates.)

Wow?

Loroi are gonna like human food then. Will probably make them fat though.

They don't have rising bread.... so no donuts, hamburger buns, or sliced bread sandwiches. And no cakes.... at least what we think of as a cake (birthday cake).

On the other hand they will be very familar with the concept of a burrito and like the middle eastern cultures they will be accustomed to dipping their thin cracker-like bread in various sauces for taste.

Loroi sweets will likely be fruit based and perhaps some sweetened hard cracker like cookies.

Interestingly you CAN make biscuits out of pure wheat flour and water, but they are very dense and lack flavor.

I should know since I have made bread by rolling it with a pin and using wheat flour and water and cooking it in the oven